Hideaki Saito

Post-test analysis of a 1:10-scale top slab model of ABWR/RCCV subjected to internal pressure

Abstract Construction of the first Advanced Boiling Water Reactor (ABWR) in Japan employing a reinforced concrete containment vessel (RCCV) was started in 1991. As RCCV itself is the first structure of its kind in Japan, thorough verification tests have been performed. This paper presents the results of simulation analysis of the Top Slab partial model of the RCCV subjected to internal pressure beyond design load. The Top Slab portion is complicated, being composed of a flat Top Slab, cylindrical wall and fuel pool girders, that its simulation analysis requires the evaluation of nonlinear structural behavior of reinforced concrete members due to membrane, bending and shear forces. This paper reports that Finite Element analysis with 3-D solid elements has given a good quantitative agreement between experimental and analysis results with respect to deformation, failure load and each nonlinear behavior.

Loading Capacities and Failure Modes of Various Reinforced Concrete Slabs Subjected to High Speed Loading

Abstract The objective of this study was to clarify experimentally and analytically the loading capacities, deformations and failure modes of various types of reinforced-concrete structure subjected to loads applied at various rates. Flat slabs, slabs with beams and cylindrical walls were tested under static, low speed and high speed loading. Analysis was applied to estimate the test results by the finite element method using a layered shell element. The analysis closely simulated the experimental results until punching shear failure occured.

Experimental study on RCCV of ABWR plant

Abstract This research relates to the application of a reinforced concrete containment vessel (RCCV) whose form can be freely selected to the development of an advanced BWR. The researchers on RCCVs are carried out recently, and good results are obtained. The RCCV employed in this research is different from conventional ones in structural elements and form. The purpose of this research is, therefore, to confirm the adequacy and reliability of the design method of the trial-designed RCCV, and to confirm the ultimate strengt and constructibleness. Basic, partial model and total model experiments were conducted. As a result of experimental and analytical studies, it was made sure that the trial-designed RCCV is safe and reliable at a design-load level. It was also confirmed that its ultimate strength fully ensures structural performance. Realizability was confirmed from consideration of the adequacy of the design method and constructibleness. This paper describes the results of the total model experiments planned for these researches.

Experimental study of the structural behavior of the reinforced concrete containment vessel beyond design pressure

Abstract The first Advanced Boiling Water Reactor (ABWR) including a reinforced concrete containment vessel (RCCV) is scheduled to be constructed in the 1990s, in Japan. As the RCCV is new to Japan, we performed a trial design, several series of fundamental experiments and partial/total model experiments. This paper presents a summary of the “TOP SLAB EXPERIMENT” carried out as one of partial model experiments, in which the structural behavior of the RCCV was examined under internal pressure.